Everest Base Camp Trek and Volunteering – 5 Weeks
Volunteer World Nepal’s Everest Base Camp Trek and volunteering work in Nepal is an extraordinary adventure that goes beyond the physical achievement of reaching new heights. It encompasses cultural exploration, community engagement, and the opportunity to make a positive impact through volunteering. This holistic experience makes the Everest Base Camp Trek a life-changing adventure for those seeking both personal growth and a deeper connection with the remarkable landscapes and people of Nepal.
Everest Base Camp Trek and volunteering in Nepal is a journey that intertwines breathtaking landscapes with cultural richness. The trek, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, offers adventurers a chance to witness the majestic peaks, charming Sherpa villages, and the iconic Khumbu Glacier. The trail weaves through rhododendron forests, suspension bridges, and high-altitude terrain, culminating at the Everest Base Camp, where climbers begin their ascent to the world’s highest peak.
Beyond the awe-inspiring scenery, Nepal beckons with opportunities for meaningful engagement through volunteering. This beautiful nation, known for its warm hospitality, invites trekkers to contribute to community development projects. Volunteering in Nepal provides a unique cultural immersion, allowing participants to connect with locals and make a positive impact.
Volunteer World Nepal offers an incomparable Everest Base Camp Trek and volunteering is an adventure opportunity for individuals, couples, groups, students, and experts, as well as senior and youth professionals from all over the world to make a contribution to Nepali society. At the same time, you will experience the rich culture, natural splendour, and daily life of Nepal, one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Everest Base Camp Trek and Volunteering Highlights:
- Scenic mountain flight to and from Lukla.
- Explore the Sagarmatha National Park.
- The world’s highest airport at the Syangbuche (3780 meters).
- High suspension bridges, Colourful flags, Mani Stones, and Prayer Wheels on the way to base camp.
- Get a chance to see the wildlife animals like Musk Dear, Snow Leopard, beautiful Pheasants and Himalayan Thar.
- Visit Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery on the way to Everest base camp.
- Unforgettable views of high mountains and Khumbu Ice Fall.
- View of Everest and many mountains from the Kalapattar.
- Lifetime memorable sunset and sunrise views from the top of the Kala Patthar.
- Wide range of scenic mountain views from Kala Patthar.
- Experience the rich culture and traditions of the Sherpa people.
Complementing this extraordinary adventure with volunteering work in Nepal adds a meaningful dimension to your journey. Nepal, with its warm and resilient people, welcomes volunteers to contribute to community development projects. Whether it is supporting education initiatives, healthcare programs, or environmental conservation, your efforts can make a lasting difference.
Imagine teaching English to eager students in a remote mountain school or assisting in health clinics to provide basic medical care to underserved communities. Engaging in local initiatives not only enriches the lives of those you help but also provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of the Nepalese people.
Program day to day detail itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu:
You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Volunteer World Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal.
Day 02: Orientation and Nepali lessons:
Volunteer World Nepal offers comprehensive Nepali language and cultural training tailored for expatriates, volunteers, and research students eager to delve into Nepali culture. Our team of seasoned instructors will skillfully lead you through language acquisition while fostering a genuine understanding of Nepali communities. At Tour and Trekking Nepal, we furnish cutting-edge learning resources designed to provide profound insights into Nepal’s culture and way of life. Throughout your orientation and language sessions, you will be fully immersed in the local culture and language, creating a rich and authentic experience. This program is ideally suited for individuals seeking to maximize their time in Nepal and to engage with the country on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Day 03: Local amenities and cultural sightseeing:
Kathmandu stands as the vibrant cultural nucleus of Nepal, an alluring haven for travellers since Nepal first welcomed outsiders within its borders. The city beautifully amalgamates elements of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Western influences within the encompassing Valley. Adjacent to this hub is Patan and Bhaktapur, two significant cities brimming with cultural and religious importance in Nepal’s tapestry.
An immersive guided excursion awaits, offering a complete day to explore the historical Durbar Square adorned with distinctive architecture and home to the revered Kumari, the living goddess. The journey continues to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, followed by visits to the renowned ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and the Buddhists’ shrine of Buddhhanath. As dusk settles, an enriching pre-trip discussion is scheduled, where you will meet your trek leader and fellow adventurers, setting the stage for your forthcoming expedition.
Day 04: Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding Trek:
We take an early morning flight to Lukla which is where all Everest treks begin. We meet the rest of our team in Lukla and start trekking from there. We walk on a trail that gradually descends to Cheplung village from where we get a glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain which has never been climbed. From here, we gradually descend to Phakding. Overnight stay in Phakding.
Day 05: Phakding to Namche Bazaar Trek:
Our trail passes through a pine forest and we continue our walk on the trail that goes north up the Benkar valley. We cross Dudh Koshi River and pass Chumoa and Monjo villages before reaching the entrance of the Everest National Park. Then after crossing a suspension bridge, we pass Jorsale village and walk alongside of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. We ascend on a steep trail and reach Namche Bazaar which is probably the biggest town in the Everest region. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.
Day 06: Namche Bazaar: Rest and Acclimatization Day:
We can tour Namche Bazaar which is the primary town of the Everest or Khumbu region and has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a colourful market. We can hike up to Sagarmatha National Park and enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde and so on. If we are interested in a day hike, we can trek to Khumjung village. Today we also visit the Hillary School and a monastery which houses a yeti scalp! Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.
Day 07: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Trek :
The trek until Phunki is an easy walk. From here we ascend towards Tengboche village which houses the very famous Tengboche monastery which is the biggest monastery of the Everest region. It is located within the Sagarmatha National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery is blessed with panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. The Tengboche Monastery opens at 3:00 pm, so if we reach there by 3 o’clock we can observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Overnight in Tengboche.
Day 08: Tengboche to Dingboche Trek :
Our trail descends and passes through lush forests of birch, confer and rhododendron trees. While trekking we can admire good views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. We walk downhill to Debuche and cross the Imja River to reach Pangboche. We choose the upper Pangboche trail and admire the Himalayan vista and the Pangboche Monastery. We continue our walk to the Imja Valley and Lobuche River before ascending to Dingboche. It is a picturesque village with beautiful barley, potato and buckwheat fields complete with grazing animals dotted along those fields.
Day 09: Dingboche to Duglha Trek :
It is a relatively short journey from Dinboche to Duglha. We trek across a wide pass which is a much-wanted change from walking in a straight line. Around the beginning of our trek today we enjoy the company of the mighty Himalayas on all sides. The valley begins to narrow as we come closer to Dusa. We pass the campsite of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. We begin to see Mt. Pumori as we continue on our trail. As our trail descends and curves, we bid goodbye to Mt. Pumori. We cross a stream and ascend to Duglha which is a tiny village with a huge strand of prayer flags hung across the valley. After reaching Duglha, we can walk for 45 minutes to an hour and visit the Memorial Shrine. Overnight in Duglha.
Day 10: Duglha to Lobuche Trek :
We ascend to the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail passes through boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara which is a ridge that provides spectacular mountain views. The top of the ridge is filled with prayer flags and stones which are memorial shrines for climbers who lost their lives on Mt. Everest. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing several great peaks including Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. As we are crossing Khumbu Glacier we can also see Mt. Nuptse. Overnight in Lobuche.
Day 11: Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep Trek :
The trek to Everest Base Camp is not very difficult. However, we ascend and descend mostly on a glacier path. There is also a lot of meandering on rough terrains. As we reach the base camp, we enjoy the incredible melt patterns and admire the gently rounded ice towers on the upper part of the Khumbu glacier. The Everest Base Camp is stunningly beautiful. We can enjoy amazing views of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori mountains from the base camp. After soaking in the beauty, we walk back towards Gorak Shep where we spend the night. Overnight in Gorak Shep.
Day 12: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche Trek :
We wake up early for the walk up to Kala Patthar. It is dark outside with cold temperatures and most likely chilly winds. We walk on a fairly steep trail at a comfortable pace. As we are climbing up the hill we can see Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse mountains. The view from the summit is outstanding. We can see the world’s tallest mountain Everest along other mighty Himalayan peaks. After spending some time at the summit of Kala Patthar, we walk back to Gorak Shep which is relatively easier than hiking up to Kala Pathhar.
Trekkers who visit the Everest Base Camp today will have an early breakfast as the hike up to the Everest base camp takes longer than the hike to Kala Patthar. After returning to Gorak Shep, both groups will have lunch together. After lunch, we descend to Pheriche to spend the night. Overnight in Pheriche.
Day 13: Pheriche to Namche Trek :
We lose approximately 2,000 feet in elevation today and walk on a trail with a lot of ups and downs. We descend through a hillside filled with rhododendrons and juniper trees and cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We descend rapidly through a pine forest where we can easily spot mountains goats, pheasants and other wild animals and birds common to the area. The path eventually reaches Sansa from where we can enjoy views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Nuptse mountains. We walk on winding trails followed by another walk through a forest before reaching Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 14: Namche Bazaar to Lukla Trek:
We begin our trek to Namche Bazaar today on a rocky terrain. It is mostly a downhill trek on a trail alongside the Dudh Koshi River. We cross several suspension bridges and pass by several monasteries and villages before reaching Lukla. After reaching Lukla we spend the rest of the day taking rest as today will be our last day in the mountains. Overnight in Lukla.
Day 15: Lukla to Kathmandu:
We catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If we want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we may do that today. Our guides can help you with both souvenir shopping and sightseeing. There will be a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 16 – 34: Volunteering work could be started through any of the volunteering programs:
- Teaching in Schools or Monasteries.
- Centre for Disabilities/Special Education
- Construction and Manual Work Volunteer
- Sports/ Physical Education Internship
- Teaching English to Buddhist Monks
Day 35: Farewell Friend and Departure/Fly back to Home
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A Volunteer World Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
